Recent FUE procedure by Dr. Hakan Doganay

[simonuk]

I have been a "guest" on this website for quite a long time, having made the decision that I wanted to proceed with FUE treatment this year. The sole reason that I have put off this procedure for some years was cost. Here in the UK it is quite an expensive cosmetic procedure, and after doing as much "remote" research as possible on the clinics across Europe and within a few hours flight-time, I eventually chose Dr. Hakan Doganay in Antalya, Turkey.

 

This was by far and away the most daunting thing I have done; cosmetic surgery abroad poses substantial risk and only after months of investigation did I finally make the leap. As this website was such a great source of information (especially the responses posted by patients), I felt it would be equally beneficial to share my experience.

 

Having been in discussion with Dr. Doganay’s clinic for a few months, I eventually opted to move ahead with the FUE procedure. I contacted the clinic late August 2013, specifying a preference for the middle of September which they were able to accommodate.

 

In terms of my hair loss, I would say I was inbetween a Norwood IV and V. I made plans for an operation requring 3500 grafts. Cost worked out at 2 Euros per graft which included all travel within Antalya (transfers, to/from clinic, etc.) and accomodation as well.

 

I made plans to fly to Antalya for four days.

 

Saturday

 

Flew to Antalya from London (four hour flight) and was met at the airport by Dr. Ayhan, a very pleasant & friendly surgeon who works with Dr. Doganay. His English is excellent and made the whole experience less stressful than it could have been. Not only did he literally chauffeur me around Antalya during my entire stay (to/from airport, to/from clinic, sight-seeing), but acted as translator for Dr. Doganay and his staff.

 

Dr. Ayhan checked me into a hotel that he organised (the cost was picked up by Dr. Ayhan also) that evening. My room wasn’t particularly great but was more than sufficient to be honest. It was located on the beach, had a pool, buffet breakfast & dinner were included. Dr. Ayhan was completely receptive to all my comments and concerns, from the surgery to what I wanted for meals (he paid for everything) to speaking with the hotel manager about ensuring all his patients get the best room in the hotel overlooking the beach.

 

Plenty of touristy shops nearby to buy drinks, snacks, food also. Restaurants dotted all over too. I travelled alone; on reflection it would have been less lonely had I taken a friend or family member along.

 

Sunday

 

Dr. Ayhan picked me up from the hotel in the morning and took me to the clinic where I met the nurses and staff as well as Dr. Doganay. We discussed what I was looking to achieve again, inspecting my donor area and confirming the number of grafts to meet my goal. The staff shaved my head, washed my head, again double-checked and re-marked the pen lines, and then the surgery began.

 

The first stage was the graft extraction. I was expecting 3500 grafts to be taken. In the end 3700 were taken. (I didn’t have to pay for the extra grafts which was a nice surprise – cost was based on initial discussion.) I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting how boring this was going to be! I can’t remember exact timescales, it was between 3-4 hours for this, lying face-down on a surgery bed while the grafts were extracted from the back of my head. This began with some local anaesthetic injections to numb the area. The first few injections were a bit painful, but after that you can only really tell from the pressure that you are being “worked on”. I did have top-up injections whenever I advised I could feel pain appearing as the anaesthetic began to wore off.

 

At this point, I was cleaned and bandaged up, and the clinic ordered in some lunch for me while the staff cleaned the grafts and prepared for the next stage.

 

After lunch and some lounging about (no pain at all bear in mind) using the free Wi-Fi in my private waiting room with it’s own Smart TV, the next stage of implanting the grafts began.

 

This was much more relaxing, lying a bit elevated on my back in front of another Smart TV, Dr. Doganay and his team then proceeded to implant the grafts. I had 3000 grafts to the front and 700 on the crown area. This again lasted between 3-4 hours and again involved a fair amount of local anaesthetic injections throughout. Apart from when it wore off and needed a “top-up”, the operation was practically painless. You could feel slight pressure when the implanter pen was placing the grafts into place but I could imagine drowsy patients falling asleep.

 

It is quite a surreal experience, as Dr. Doganay had about 8 additional staff prepping the implanter pens around the bed and it’s just unfortunate I don’t speak Turkish, and the staff didn’t speak English, as it was quite a pleasant and jovial atmosphere. Being quite sociable, it would have been nice to join in the casual banter now and again.

 

Following this, I was again cleaned and bandaged and let to rest in my patient waiting room for a while. It was quite tiring doing nothing, and once I “woke up” a bit, Dr. Ayhan and Dr. Doganay were happy to spend as much time with me as I wanted to run through the operation and discuss any questions I had. I’ll admit I was pretty tired so this was quite short and I could have asked much more in retrospect. However, I was completely impressed and happy so far.

 

After this, Dr. Ayhan drove me back to the hotel, by this time it was late evening. I was wearing a very large white bandage around my head and vanity got the better of me. I took a quick trip to a nearby shop to buy some bits to eat and retired to my hotel room for the evening as I felt quite uncomfortable going out for dinner in my post-op state.

 

Monday

 

Monday was quite literally a recovery day for me. I shared some communication with Dr. Ayhan via telephone/SMS and just took it easy at the hotel, having breakfast in the hotel restaurant but otherwise in my room with my iPad. I was quite worried about damaging the newly-implanted grafts that I literally didn’t want to do anything just in case. I did knock out a couple in the morning during breakfast and this increased my paranoia.

 

Tuesday

 

This was my last day in Antalya as I was flying back to London later that night. In the morning Dr. Ayhan took me to the clinic where he discussed after-care and how I should look after my new hair over the course of the next year , as well as what to expect. I was also given lotions, shampoo and medications for the after-care.

 

One of the nurses washed the donor area and newly-implanted area as well, instructing how I should be careful and what to do/expect. At this point, there was no bleeding. The donor area was quite red but otherwise fine. The implanted area was swollen and red.

 

Following a couple hours in the clinic, Dr. Ayhan asked what I would like to do for the rest of the day. I truly felt that all the staff at the clinic wanted to ensure I wasn’t just happy with the operation and outcome of the surgery, but that I had a very enjoyable visit to Antalya. I honestly wasn’t too sure what to do… they were more than accommodating, but I was still quite worried about damaging the grafts so didn’t want to spend much time outside! In the end, I visited Antalya Aquarium and then had a wander around for a bit before stumbling upon a pretty impressive shopping mall. As much as I wanted to grab a beer, I had a couple lattes in Starbucks while giving my phone and iPad one last charge.

 

During this day, I was wearing a baseball cap (I’d recommend bringing some form of comfortably-fitting cap/hat and t-shirts with a large collar or button shirts to avoid touching the implanted hair). I did make the mistake of knocking my head at one point which again knocked out a couple grafts and caused a bit of bleeding. All I can say here is take great care not to touch or scratch at all!

 

Following my day out venturing, Dr. Ayhan picked me up in the evening and after one last trip to the clinic, he took me to the airport and I jetted off home.

 

Two weeks later

 

It is now exactly two weeks since the operation and I must say, I am still completely astounded at the amount of hair on my head! I am completely prepared for the “shock loss” to arrive, however as it stands, the scabs have now completely gone and the hair is growing at the same pace as the rest of my hair. There is still very noticeable redness along the front of my head where the hair was implanted, and I’m quite happy to gently have a feel every now-and-again. I’m now washing my hair normally as well.

 

I’ve uploaded a side-by-side photo of two days-before and two days-after surgery (personally I find this remarkable!), as well as some pictures I’ve taken just now after two weeks.

 

I hope this helps other people make informed decisions about FUE treatment. I personally am only two weeks post-operation but I’m extremely happy with the results, the cost was far less than the UK too which made it all the more possible for me, and my friends & family who knew what I “had” before say it is astounding. I really hope that my happiness continues and I can’t wait to see how it looks after the 6-month and 12-month marks!

 

Please feel free to ask as many questions as you’d like. I’ll continue to update this thread also with photos too. I’m sure I’ve missed out plenty of details but hope this captures my general positivity to begin with.

 

Simon

Edited September 30, 2013 by simonuk

[TOharbourfront]

great write up, I just booked with him for Jan. sending you a pm for some more info

[Lloyd]

Thanks for the detailed info mate. Pictures seem quite promising. I am sure you will get great result after a year!

[simonuk]

@ TOharbourfront

 

I'm currently unable to view/send PMs; maybe that's a new member restriction?...

 

I'll reply as soon as I can.

[Bill - Seemiller]

Simon,

 

Private messaging is disabled for new members by default until a moderator has a chance to review each new account. This is to prevent spammers from mass mailing our legitimat emembers.

 

I have gone ahead and enabled private messaging for your account.

 

Sorry for any inconvenience :-).

 

Bill

[TOharbourfront]

resent my pm, thanks

[simonuk]

Thanks for the e-mail/forum replies Bill, much appreciated.

 

TOharbourfront, I've responded to your PM now.

 

Simon

[SADbutTRUE]

welcome to the forms and congrats on your recent hair transplant, heal well and great growth to you

[JohnnyDrama]

You're in for some big changes over the next year. Have been very impressed with Dr Hakans presented work and its great to see increased patient cases like yourself! Stick to that post op plan and you will heal well!

 

I'd recommend using Aloe Vera for redness, if you haven't already used it.

[TakingThePlunge]

simonuk,

 

Welcome and thanks for taking the time to share your hair transplant experience with Dr. Doganay. The work looks superb. You're going to be a very happy former bald guy in a few months.

 

Keep us posted!

[stickwithme]

Great write-up, Simon. Dr Hakan's on my short-list. I'll be willing every last of your follicles into fruition over the next months.

[Britanium]

Just wow ! this looks exceptionally good :-) sure to be a fantastic result !

[simonuk]

@ JohnnyDrama - Thanks for the comments. I have used aloe vera cream to stop me from scratching the itchiness now and again, but will take on board your comments about redness and use it a bit more frequently. Great username by the way, VICTORY!

 

Gents - thanks for all your comments. Based on initial post-op feelings, I'm really happy with Dr. Ayhan and Dr. Doganay's work. The hairline and restoration looks brilliant even now and I'm only in the "shock loss" stage which is just beginning to kick in.

 

Simon

[hairshopeing]

Looks amazing work!!! Great dr, great results!!

[Jon2105]

looks fantastic mate, im going to dr hakan myself hopefully before xmas

[simonuk]

It will be three weeks' time tomorrow since I had my FUE treatment and shock loss is now in full-effect.

 

I've attached an image of a few hairs that recently parted way, and I was curious if former FUE patients could tell me if they look normal? Specifically, the end of the hair follicle is black, whereas if I was to pluck a healthy "normal" hair from my head it would be white at the end.

 

Just curious if that is to expected at this stage, or at all?

 

Thanks.

[JohnnyDrama]

Looks normal to me mate.

 

Oh and just on a slightly technical note......that isn't shockloss.

 

Shockloss is when your non-transplanted/native hair is affected by the ht due to trauma and sheds. What you look like you are experiencing is just standard shedding of transplanted hair shafts.

[simonuk]

Thanks for the feedback and clarification. Much appreciated.

[Lloyd]

It is quite normal because after 20rd day the shock loss will start, mate do not worry

[JohnnyMarr]

I'm hopefully going for a HT with Dr Hogany in December. Thanks for the post, always helpful to know how other people have got on before making a final decision

[sarang]

Hi thanks for update , I am also going to get hair transplant from Dr Hakan in November .I have a question I can understand that they give you some shampoo and hair spray post operation.I am travelling from UK through Thompson direct flight, do you think that they will allow me to bring this in hand luggage in plane? or should I book extra luggage ?

 

Also Please let me know your hotel experience ?

 

Regards

[Vanilla]

Looks like good coverage. I will be tuning in for future pictures. Any idea on the graft density in recipient? Also, how Antalya as a city itself?

[Throwaway28925]

I had my procedure done with Dr. Doganay in July and I was agreeing with everything you said. Can't say enough good words about the team in Antalya.

[simonuk]

Thanks for all the recent comments.

 

sarang - You'll need to put all the lotions/shampoo and medications in the hold as they are well above the size limit for hand buggage. My hotel experience was pretty average but everything else was brilliant. I personally would recommend doing some research on the Internet (TripAdvisor) to find a hotel that you like the look of, and then work with Dr. Doganay's clinic to make arrangements.

 

Vanilla - I'm not sure what the density is, as in follicles/cm2 for example. It is nowhere near the natural coverage obviously, but will just have to wait & see how it looks after six months and after a year ultimately.

 

Antalya was a nice place, definitely a good beach destination. Weather was great too. Plenty to do, just have a look at tourist information on the Internet.

[simonuk]

Progress after 1st Month

 

It has now been one month since my FUE operation with Dr. Doganay.

 

I experienced ALOT of shedding of the implanted hairs during the third week, and was amazed just how much would fall out in the sink or on my pillow after a night's sleep. However, this has really started to slow down now and to be honest, I'm not sure if any hair shed last night. I also haven't noticed anything today.

 

I've uploaded a few pictures to show my progress. There is still a fair amount of redness in the implanted region. Depending on where I am, it can be less noticeable (bright light) to very noticeable (dim light). I'm still wearing a baseball cap at all times when I go out with one exception which was quite humourous...

 

It was my friend's wedding reception the other night and I couldn't miss it. So in desperation, I actually managed to find some make-up (foundation) that pretty-much matched my skin-tone and applied this to my forehead and temple area to cover the redness. I actually got away with it thankfully (although did tell my friends anyway)!

 

To combat the redness I've started using a hydro-cortisone 1% cream, and will stop after one week as per instructions. I do think I'm noticing some decrease in redness but can't say for certain.

 

The donor region is very itchy and again, depending on lighting, is not so noticeable except just after I cut my hair. I've been sporting a shaved head and invested in a pair of clippers quite simply because it's so much easier for me. I first cut my hair a week ago and will probably keep doing this fortnightly. I think I may just keep the shaved head look until later in the recovery period when the hairs start to regrow and can achieve a style I like with the new hairline. That may change, but that's my perspective for now anyway...